“Are we dressed too casually? Will we embarrass Raymond and his family?”
Upon arriving at Goldarch Hotel, Quiana felt a little unconfident and out of place as she noticed the endless stream of guests entering the hotel.
Desmond, who was seated in a wheelchair and being pushed by Finnegan, comforted his wife, “It's all right. Raymond and his family won't think like that. Others' opinions don't matter either.”
Finnegan thought inwardly that Raymond and his family were actually the most sardonic. They must've invited us over today to flaunt their wealth and put us to shame.
Nevertheless, he didn't utter those words before his parents. “Mom, Dad, let's go in for now since we're already here.”
The trio followed the crowd and walked toward the hotel's entrance.
Ximena, who had meticulously preened herself, and Yosef who was clad in a suit, were welcoming the guests. Standing beside Yosef was his father, Yahir Haimowitz. The latter had to be there because Winston would be attending the event in person.
Ximena's parents and brother were nowhere to be seen, as they had most likely entered the venue.
“Uncle Desmond, Aunt Quiana, Finny, you're here.”
Ximena perceptively noticed Finnegan and his family. Her eyes lit up instantaneously, and she even straightened her back as a haughty look spread across her face.
Desmond and Quiana both smiled and replied, “Ximena, congratulations on your engagement.”
However, Ximena merely hummed in acknowledgment before saying, “Yosef, this is my Uncle Desmond and Aunt Quiana. You've met my cousin previously. This is my fiancé, Yosef. He's a member of the Haimowitz family and Pentariver Group. Next to him is my father-in-law, Mr. Yahir Haimowitz.”
After listening to Ximena's introduction, Desmond and Quiana hurriedly greeted, “Hello. We'll be a family in the future.”
Yahir and Yosef glanced at them indifferently without giving any response. There was even a hint of disdain flashing across their eyes.
Yahir uttered coldly, “Usher them inside first, so they don't block the way for important guests. Old Mr. Haimowitz will be here soon.”
Ximena, who had intended to show off, sensed Yahir's displeasure and quickly urged Desmond, his wife, and Finnegan, “That's enough. Hurry up and go inside instead of staying here to block the other esteemed guests. Find a secluded corner to sit inside the hall, and don't move to the front.”
Desmond and Quiana felt rather embarrassed. They could sense the three regarded them with contempt.
Nonetheless, the couple simply assumed Ximena was forced to treat them that way and steered Finnegan, who was suppressing his dissatisfaction, into the hotel.
“I've told you your partner's family should be of equal standing as ours.” Yahir swept his eyes across Finnegan's family in exasperation and chided Yosef, “Remember not to let these poor relatives interact with us too much. Otherwise, we'll never be able to get rid of them. Also, these people are not qualified to attend the engagement banquet. Come up with some way to drive them away before your granduncle arrives.”
He uttered those words openly in front of Ximena.
She didn't feel embarrassed or angry after hearing that. Conversely, she merely realized how inconsiderate she was. Wrapping her arms around Yosef's, she said, “Darling, this is all my fault. My parents wanted to expose my Uncle Desmond and his family to this kind of event, so I agreed to let them join us. If Dad doesn't like them, I'll tell my parents to chase them away immediately.”
“I'll let you handle it. Today's guests are all distinguished members of society. Your relatives' presence will only lower the standard of this place.”
Upon entering the banquet hall, Finnegan and his parents found a corner to sit.
Looking at the spacious hall, which could fit over a hundred banquet tables, Quiana was slightly nervous. “He's indeed a member of the prestigious Haimowitz family, being able to host such a grand spectacle for an engagement. Would the ceremony be more magnificent than this during the official wedding? How much money would that cost?”
Desmond was also shocked. Still, his maturity as a man allowed him to stay composed and keep his astonishment to himself.
Finnegan said, “Mom, my engagement and wedding ceremonies in the future will be even grander than this, so you and Dad can feel proud too.”
His parents merely thought he was consoling them.
Desmond and his wife, who had been honest and simple people their whole lives, were mad. Still, having gotten used to putting up with whatever nonsense in silence, they didn't argue with Qahira.
They said to Finnegan awkwardly, “Let's go.”
Rage churned within Finnegan as he took in their shamefaced mien. He got to his feet and pushed Desmond's wheelchair while regarding Raymond and his family with an impassive look. “I'll ask one last time. Do you really want us to leave? Perhaps your family's dream of currying favors with an influential family will be reduced to nothing following our departure.”
Qahira scoffed. “Do you think you're Old Mr. Haimowitz, and the engagement banquet can't proceed without you? Get lost at once, and don't stay here as a hindrance. Let's reduce the frequency of interaction between our families too. We are people from very different backgrounds, after all.”
“Uncle Raymond, do you think so too?”
Finnegan turned to Raymond, who had been keeping quiet the whole time.
In fact, Raymond didn't fancy his young brother's family getting targeted in that manner. However, he had yielded to Qahira his entire life. Hence, he lowered his head and feigned deaf, not daring to say a word at that moment.
Receiving the implicit answer, Finnegan no longer harbored any hopes. “It seems there isn't a need to proceed with this engagement banquet.”
“Old Mr. Haimowitz is here.”
A commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance. Everyone inside the hall got to their feet one after the other to peer in that direction.
Qahira's expression changed, and she hastily shouted, “Stop right there. Wait for a few moments before you leave.”
Finnegan didn't hear her. Pushing Desmond along, he headed toward the door. Quiana hesitated briefly before catching up with them as she figured a family should stick together at times like that.
Qahira's countenance turned a few shades uglier. “Xavier, hurry up and halt them. Don't let them stand in Old Mr. Haimowitz's way!”

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